Though Williams admits he would like to play more in his rookie season with the Timberwolves, he wouldn't trade places with Irving, the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NBA draft.

"There's more pressure on Kyrie, but I feel he's doing a great job and getting a lot of minutes," said Williams, the No. 2 pick in the draft. "Overall, his team is a lot better with him. We both ended up in the right spots."

In the years to come, Irving and Williams will be measured on how they helped transform their teams as high-profile selections in a draft considered short on marquee talent, writes Richardson.

No prospects in the 2011 draft generated as much conversation and hype as Irving and Williams. For many experts, they were the draft, and the Timberwolves and Cavaliers would be getting a prominent player no matter which direction they went.

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